MacBook Pro vs Alienware M17x? [Pricing]
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Description
Feel free to try to convince me that the MacBook isn't grossly overpriced. Video responses are welcome! "The UI can't change what's under the Hood" -- MarquesBrownlee This is a response to AppleSoldier's: bit.ly
This video is a detailed pricing and spec comparison between the 17-inch MacBook Pro and the Dell Alienware M17x, presented as a response to a prior Apple Soldier critique. Marcus Brownlee (MKBHD) walks through a side-by-side configuration exercise, starting from the base models and moving upward to higher-end options, to assess which laptop delivers better value on a spec-for-spec basis. He notes that the base price of the M17x is $1,799 while the base MacBook Pro 17-inch starts at $2,500, and then methodically adds upgrades such as memory, storage, and optional components to both machines. A key point is the RAM upgrade: the MacBook Pro’s eight gigabytes of 1066 MHz RAM is historically priced much higher than a comparable upgrade on the M17x, illustrating a significant price delta for comparable RAM performance. He also discusses storage choices, highlighting that a 256 GB solid-state drive upgrade costs about $650 on the MacBook Pro versus $400 on the M17x, further contributing to the overall price gap. Software and included packages are examined as well, with the MacBook Pro base model not including bundled software such as iLife or Office, whereas the M17x provides access to OpenOffice and other open-source options, affecting the total cost of ownership. Overall, the video aims to quantify whether the higher price tag of the MacBook Pro is justified by design, brand, or ecosystem, concluding that there is a noticeable difference in cost for similar or upgraded specifications, and inviting viewers to comment with their own calculations or alternative configurations. The discussion also touches on practical considerations like portability, performance expectations, and the trade-offs between operating system ecosystems. The tone remains analytic and contrasts the value proposition of premium hardware and software integration against raw hardware specifications and upgrade paths, ultimately encouraging audience engagement to share thoughts on what constitutes fair pricing for these premium laptops.
Topics · technology · laptops · price-comparison · hardware · computing
Questions answered
- What is the base price difference between the 17-inch MacBook Pro and the Dell M17x according to the video?
- The base price for the Dell M17x is $1,799, while the 17-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,500.
- How do RAM upgrade costs compare between the MacBook Pro and the M17x in the video?
- Eight gigabytes of 1066 MHz RAM upgrade is shown as far more expensive on the MacBook Pro, whereas the same upgrade in the M17x costs about $700, illustrating a large price gap for memory upgrades.
- Does the MacBook Pro base model include software like iLife or Office?
- No, the MacBook Pro base price does not include bundled software or productivity suites such as iLife or Office; the M17x offers OpenOffice and other open-source options.